Mary’s Place Receives Prestigious Award for Urban Design Excellence

The prestigious Minister’s Award for Urban Design at the 2025 Queensland Urban Design Awards has been jointly awarded to Mary’s Place in Dalby. This marks a celebration of innovative community design and local collaboration.

Sharing the accolade with Brisbane’s Kangaroo Point Bridge, Mary’s Place is more than just a physical landmark. It represents the spirit of Dalby, embracing the town’s history while forging connections for the future.

This blog explores the transformation of a burned-out hotel site into a thriving community space. It also delves into the significance of community-driven urban design.

From Fire to Flourish: The Birth of Mary’s Place

The story of Mary’s Place began with the remnants of the fire-destroyed Commercial Hotel. This site is located in Dalby’s Central Business District.

Faced with this dormant location, the Western Downs Regional Council envisioned something transformative. Through extensive community collaboration, the concept for Mary’s Place emerged.

The new space honors beloved local icon Mary Barry. It cultivates opportunities for connection, creativity, and celebration.

Community Collaboration Powers Urban Design

The foundation of Mary’s Place lies in its community-led approach. Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Andrew Smith emphasized the deep engagement with locals, which included receiving 162 name submissions to honor Mary Barry.

Mary’s legacy as a “symbol of warmth, connection, and community spirit in Dalby” inspired the space’s design. This grassroots input ensured the final result resonated deeply with the residents and captured the town’s identity.

A Hub for Connection and Celebration

Mary’s Place has swiftly become a nucleus for social activity in Dalby. Hosting events such as outdoor movie nights and live screenings of popular sporting events like the State of Origin, the space fosters community bonds in a welcoming, dynamic setting.

More than just a landscaped venue, Mary’s Place invigorates Dalby’s CBD. It supports local engagement in ways that extend beyond its physical boundaries.

Recognition That Transcends Design

The 2025 Queensland Urban Design Awards spotlight projects that deliver exceptional public outcomes through thoughtful and innovative design. Mary’s Place fits this criterion, winning acclaim for its ability to achieve impressive results despite limited budgets.

The acknowledgment by the Minister’s Award reaffirms that impactful public spaces can emerge with a clear vision and community engagement. High aspirations can succeed even in the face of financial constraints.

This is not the first recognition for Mary’s Place. Earlier, it received two major honors at the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects Queensland Awards, showcasing its consistent appeal and exceptional execution.

Urban Design as a Catalyst for Legacy and Transformation

Mary’s Place stands out for connecting the town’s past and future. By honoring Mary Barry, the space commemorates a piece of Dalby’s history and ensures her legacy continues to inspire generations.

At the same time, providing a modern venue for community interaction positions Dalby boldly for the future. This balance showcases the potential of urban design to bridge generational divides and create spaces that celebrate identity.

Key Lessons from Mary’s Place

The success of Mary’s Place delivers valuable insights for architects, engineers, and urban planners:

• Community-led design yields meaningful results: Involving local voices ensures spaces reflect community values and history.
• Budget constraints inspire creativity: High aspirations and a clear vision can overcome financial limitations to produce impactful designs.
• Urban spaces serve as cultural anchors: Thoughtful development transforms overlooked sites into centers of connection and redefines public engagement.

Final Thoughts: Celebrating Mary’s Place

Mary’s Place in Dalby shows how urban design can reflect community identity. Its transformation from the Commercial Hotel site to a public space highlights the power of community-driven projects.

The success of Mary’s Place encourages other towns and professionals to value collaboration and local history.

Urban designers and architects are reminded that their work is about more than buildings. It is about creating spaces where communities can thrive and connect.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Mary’s Place Honoured With Top Urban Design Award